Malaysia has secured potential investments exceeding RM28 billion from Chinese companies following trade discussions in Shanghai and Hangzhou, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced. The commitments arose during a three-day working visit to both cities, which included a roundtable with 21 firms and focused meetings with five major Chinese industrial corporations.

The prospective investments cover several strategic industries, including semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics, electric vehicles, biotechnology, and advanced medical devices. Anwar attributed these commitments to investors’ confidence in Malaysia’s political stability and current economic policies.

The announcement came after the launch of the Malaysia Pavilion at the 5th Global Digital Trade Expo at the Hangzhou Grand Convention and Exhibition Center. Speaking at the event, Anwar expressed Malaysia’s openness to further Chinese investment in digital technology and cooperation, highlighting China’s role in showcasing and sharing innovations across multiple sectors.

“From food to new technology, China, as you host digitally today, has shown your willingness to showcase and share this technology,” Anwar said. He emphasized that Malaysia will continue to welcome digital economy investments and partnerships in order to drive mutual benefit.

The Prime Minister also highlighted Malaysia’s competitive advantages, including a disciplined, skilled, and multilingual workforce, a rules-based economy, and strategic positioning as a gateway to broader Asian markets. Anwar, who concurrently holds the Finance Minister portfolio, praised Chinese President Xi Jinping’s stance on digital trade, noting Xi’s call for technology and artificial intelligence to reduce inequality rather than exacerbate it.

Invoking a Chinese proverb about collective prosperity, Anwar stressed the importance of inclusive growth in the digital economy. “A stronger digital economy will be one in which more nations can take part, more businesses can compete and more people can prosper,” he said, urging collaboration to build an equitable digital future.

The Malaysian government views the newly pledged investments as integral to its broader strategy to enhance technological capabilities and position the country as a regional hub for advanced industries. Talks with leading Chinese companies are expected to continue as both sides seek to deepen economic ties.